Burn Injury Causes in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio is home to a wide range of high-risk industries, making serious burn injuries more likely. The city’s growing industrial sector and constant traffic contribute to a range of burn-related hazards.
Potential causes of burn injuries in San Antonio include:
- Oilfield and Refinery Accidents: San Antonio's proximity to the Eagle Ford Shale means many workers are exposed to volatile chemicals, open flames, and high-pressure equipment.
- ConstructionSite Fires or Explosions: Faulty wiring, welding accidents, and gas leaks are possibilities at San Antonio’s many residential and commercial development sites.
- Traffic Accidents: Motor vehicle collisions on San Antonio roadways, especially those involving large trucks or buses, can cause fires and explosions, leading to severe burn injuries.
- Apartment and House Fires: Electrical malfunctions, cooking accidents, and space heater failures are potential causes of residential fires at homes and apartments in the San Antonio area.
- Restaurant and Kitchen Incidents: San Antonio has a bustling food service industry, which presents burn risks in the form of scalds and grease burns among kitchen crews and waitstaff.
Our team investigates the cause of each burn injury to hold the responsible party fully accountable—whether it's a negligent property owner, an employer who ignored OSHA safety standards, or a manufacturer of defective equipment.
How Burn Injuries Happen
Burn injuries can happen for multiple reasons and present in varying degrees of severity. In San Antonio, burns are often the result of work accidents, vehicle collisions, and building fires. These incidents may involve flammable materials, chemical exposure, or electrical malfunctions—especially in industrial areas and construction zones. The intense South Texas heat can also make burn injuries more dangerous due to the risk of dehydration and infection during recovery.
Burns can occur in various ways:
- Thermal burns occur from contact with flames, steam, hot liquids or metals, and other hot substances.
- Chemical burns occur when a person is exposed to caustic substances like acids or alkalis.
- Flash burns happen when a person is close to an explosion or sudden ignition source.
- Electrical burns result from contact with live electrical currents, which can cause extensive internal damage.
- Friction burns occur when skin is dragged across a rough surface, often seen in motorcycle crashes.
- Radiation burns may happen after extended exposure to UV rays or from medical or industrial radiation sources.
A person’s skin isn’t the only thing harmed by extreme heat; lungs are also at risk of injury. Inhalation injuries frequently accompany burns as people who suffer from them inhale superheated air, chemicals, and other harmful substances. Inhalation injuries can cause lasting damage to a person’s respiratory system and can also worsen preexisting conditions.
Signs of inhalation injuries include:
- Coughing up phlegm
- Irritated sinuses
- Pain or tightness in the chest
- Running nose
- Scratchy, irritated throat
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Stinging eyes
As dangerous substances burn during a fire, a person can sustain inhalation injuries from toxins. Smoke inhalation causes serious injuries and accounts for about 60 to 80% of fatalities among burn victims.
Types of Burn Injuries & Their Impact
Medical professionals classify burns by degrees to communicate the extent of injury a person is experiencing. Distinguishing what type of burn a person has is important, as doing so determines how much medical treatment a person needs. It also provides a basic idea of how much a person’s injuries might impact the rest of their life.
- First-degree burn injuries are more common and less serious than other types of burn injuries. While they can be painful, first-degree burns only require minor treatment and bandaging.
- Second-degree burns occur when an injury extends beyond the first layer of skin. They might require a medical assessment to decide if they require more care than a bandage. Importantly, those with second-degree burns should avoid using topical treatments until consulting with a doctor.
- Third-degree and fourth-degree burns are always serious injuries and require urgent medical care. These burns go through multiple layers of skin and can even damage a person’s muscles and bones.
Understanding the degree of a burn helps in not only medical assessments but also in legal terms. First responders and medical professionals document the burn severity, which assists our San Antonio burn accident lawyers in advocating for appropriate compensation. It’s vital for burn survivors to get an accurate diagnosis to ensure they receive immediate treatment as well as ongoing care and rehabilitation, not to mention reconstructive procedures.
The Emotional & Psychological Toll of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are not just physically painful—they take a significant emotional and psychological toll on survivors. Many victims experience post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and body image issues due to scarring and disfigurement. This is especially true for children and young adults who may face bullying or social isolation after their injuries.
In San Antonio, several support resources exist, such as the Texas Burn Survivor Society (TBSS) Support Group, which provides crucial emotional support. Our catastrophic injury attorneys in San Antonio make sure emotional and psychological impacts are considered when pursuing damages for our clients.
How Burn Injuries Are Treated & What to Expect
Those with burns need to get medical attention as soon as possible. Severe burn injuries require extensive medical care and can be excruciating for those suffering from them. Despite this, advances in medical technology mean that burn survivors have a better chance than ever of recovery. For example, skin grafting helps burned skin heal by taking tissue from an unaffected portion of a person’s body and applying it to an area that needs to heal. With skin grafting, skin that would’ve never healed on its own can have a chance at recovery.
Types of skin grafts include:
- Split-thickness grafts
- Full-thickness grafts
- Pinch grafts
- Pedicle grafts
Full treatment for burn injuries often involves a multidisciplinary approach, including surgeons, dermatologists, and physical therapists. Pain management is a critical component, as is rehabilitation to restore mobility and function. Some patients might require counseling to cope with the psychological impact of severe burns. We work closely with medical professionals to ensure our clients receive comprehensive care and support throughout their recovery.
Specialized Burn Treatment Centers in San Antonio
San Antonio is fortunate to have access to advanced burn care. University Hospital's Pediatric Trauma & Burn Center provides comprehensive care for children across South Texas, including emergency treatment, wound care, skin grafting, and rehabilitation. Methodist Hospital Burn & Reconstructive Center provides surgical, critical, and outpatient care for all types of burns and includes emergency burn rooms that are climate-controlled to regulate temperature and humidity for severely burned patients. Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), located at Fort Sam Houston, is also home to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center, which treats both military and civilian patients.
Our San Antonio Burn Injury Attorneys Fight for Results. No Matter What.
Our San Antonio burn injury attorneys know that while we can’t change what happened to you or your loved one, we can fight for the compensation needed to get the care you deserve and the chance to rebuild your life.
Our deep understanding of burn injuries enables us to tailor our legal strategies to each client’s unique needs. We leverage our San Antonio personal injury firm's vast resources, from advanced forensic analysis to top-tier medical expert consultations, to underscore the full impact of the injury. We tirelessly pursue all avenues for compensation, including current and future medical bills, lost earnings, and even home modifications necessary due to mobility changes. Being advocates for our clients’ rights ensures they can focus on recovery while we handle the legal battles.
Contact our San Antonio burn accident attorneys at Arnold & Itkin by calling (888) 493-1629 today.
